All India Muslim Personal Law Board to take up the issue of Muslim youth booked in 'false' terror charges

LUCKNOW: The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has decided to take up the issue of harassment of Muslim youth on false charges of terror acts across the country with the UPA government. The Board has decided to send a letter to the central government on the issue.

Though the issue of Muslim youth being falsely implicated in terror acts has been debated for long, it acquired political colour in 2012 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, when the Samajwadi Party (SP) promised that it will review the terror cases lodged against Muslim youth and release those found innocent. The SP came to power with majority. Muslims voted overwhelmingly for the SP. The SP government also formed a commission to review the cases. The commission submitted its report in October last year. However, no action has been taken by the state government so far.

Now, with Lok Sabha election scheduled within next 12 months, the issue has assumed significance again. However, Muslim community leaders are not ready to accept `promises' anymore and have demanded action. Sources said that the AIMPLB members have reminded SP national president Mulayam Singh Yadav about his poll promises. The issue may also be taken up in the annual general meeting of AIMPLB on March 22 in Ujjain. Demands includes speedy trial of terror cases, compensation to those acquitted and action against officers responsible for framing innocent youth.

Recently, Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat along with senior party leaders had met Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav and requested him to provide compensation and ensure rehabilitation of Muslim youths, who were arrested on terror charges but later acquitted by various courts in the state. Karat had then also handed over a list of nine such youths from Kanpur who were lodged in jail from 3-9 years facing trial on terror charges but were acquitted. Similar demands have been made by other Muslim outfits as well. However, BJP is opposing it.